Largest tenant to date moves into Bell Works

Bell Works in Holmdel — Courtesy: Somerset Development

By Joshua Burd

A software solutions firm has cut the ribbon on its new 72,000-square-foot space at the Bell Works complex in Holmdel, marking the arrival of the largest tenant to occupy the building thus far after a flurry of office leasing over the past year.

WorkWave, which provides cloud-based products for the field service and last-mile delivery industries, has opened its headquarters at the iconic former Bell Labs campus after more than doubling its headcount in the past three years to 222 employees. The firm has relocated from Neptune and has the option to expand by another 72,000 square feet at the property, which is being repositioned as a 2 million-square-foot, mixed-use setting for office and retail tenants.

“WorkWave is ecstatic to finally move to our new home at the iconic Bell Works facility,” said Chris Sullens, CEO and president of WorkWave. “The tech hub atmosphere is vibrant, and is the perfect place to continue to grow and attract talented employees who are looking for a creative and inspiring work environment without the hour-plus-long commute.

“Creating a fun, collaborative space for our team within this great building was extremely important to me and I want to give a special thank you to my longtime friends at Hollister Construction and Michael Savarese Associates for helping bring this vision to life.”

WorkWave is making the move with the help of a $15.7 million tax credit award from the state Economic Development Authority, which it received in return for agreeing to stay and add jobs in New Jersey rather than move to St. Louis. The EDA also provided an incentive for what will ultimately be Bell Works’ largest tenant, the recruiting software provider iCIMS Inc., which will relocate from Matawan to occupy some 350,000 square feet at the property.

In a news release, WorkWave and Somerset Development said the new office features multifunctional meeting and collaboration spaces, quiet areas for unwinding and a recreation room with basketball hoops, ping pong tables and gaming areas.

Somerset Development, which is repopulating what had been the largest vacant office building in the country, is also moving ahead with dining options, retailers, conference center, hotel and other components aimed at creating what it calls an indoor metroburb. The complex will also house health and wellness services, a public library, day care facilities, indoor and outdoor sports complexes and educational facilities.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the WorkWave team to its new offices at Bell Works,” said Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development. “WorkWave was one of the first companies to recognize and share in our vision to create a dynamic, downtown-style vibe in this suburban location, and that vision is truly coming to fruition. In the coming months, we’re looking forward to growing alongside WorkWave, as we welcome a diverse variety of exciting new dining, retail, health care, and hospitality options here at Bell Works.”

“We are very proud of the space we have delivered to WorkWave,” said Christopher Johnson, founder and CEO of Hollister. “From the very onset of the project, our main goal was to bring to fruition WorkWave’s vision for their new headquarters. Chris Sullens is a dear friend of mine and we know how important this move is for his continuous growth plans.

“My entire team is truly honored to have been a part of this project and we congratulate them on this big move and the start of a new and exciting chapter.”

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Joshua Burd, an award-winning reporter and editor, has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for five years. Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state, a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ. He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State.

For a project that will bring more than 400 new apartments and townhomes to Gloucester County’s largest town, a joint venture is banking on the demand for health care services as a key driver of the property and a potential model for other mixed-use projects in the state.